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T Fukasawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Fukasawa.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Isolation and characterization of SGE1: a yeast gene that partially suppresses the gal11 mutation in multiple copies.

Recessive mutations of GAL11 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cause pleiotropic defects that include weak fermentation of galactose, alpha-specific sterility and slow growth on nonfermentable carbon sources. Recent experiments suggest that Gal11P functions as a "co-activator" that links transcriptional activators, such as Gal4p and Grf1p/Rap1p/Tuf1p, with the basic transcription machinery. In the present experiments we isolated a gene, SGE1, that suppresses gal11 for growth on ethidium bromide/galactose agar when the gene was present in two or more copies. The other gal11 phenotypes were not suppressed by SGE1 in the multiple-copy state. Multiple copies of SGE1 increased expression of galactose-inducible genes in gal11 yeast, presumably at the level of transcription. When SGE1 was disrupted in wild-type yeast, the expression of galactose-inducible genes decreased to 50-60% of the wild-type level, presumably due to effect on transcription. Complete DNA sequence analysis revealed that SGE1 encodes a predicted protein of 543 amino acids. SGE1-specific mRNA of 1.8 kilonucleotides was detected by Northern analysis along the direction of the open reading frame. The gene mapped near RAD56, at the right end of chromosome 16.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Purification and characterization of the yeast negative regulatory protein GAL80.

Transcription of the GAL genes encoding the enzymes responsible for galactose metabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated through an interplay of two regulatory proteins, GAL4 and GAL80. GAL4 binds to upstream activating sequences of GAL (UASG) and activates their transcription in yeast growing in the presence of galactose. GAL80 binds to GAL4 and inhibits the activation function of GAL4 in yeast growing without galactose. We have purified GAL80 in its native form as a protein that reacts with an antiserum raised against a synthetic peptide of 18 amino acid residues in the GAL80 sequence. Purification was performed through ammonium sulfate precipitation, streptomycin precipitation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and gel filtration. From 50 g of wet cells, a final sample of 2.3 mg with a purity of more than 80% was obtained. The molecular size of the purified protein in both the native and denatured states was estimated to be approximately 50 kDa, indicating that GAL80 exists as a monomer in yeast cells. The amino-terminal residue of GAL80 was found to be acetylmethionine. The purified protein was shown to bind GAL4. We have also purified mutant GAL80 proteins encoded by two different alleles of gal80 known to be incapable of inhibiting the function of GAL4. These proteins were, in fact, unable to bind GAL4.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed1991

Efficient production of biologically active human prolactin in Escherichia coli.

To obtain an adequate amount of human prolactin (hPRL) for elucidation of the structure-function relationship, we have expressed the hPRL cDNA in Escherichia coli (E. coli) by using a high-expression vector. The vector contained a chimeric gene encoding a fusion of protein A, a peptide sensitive to collagenase digestion and hPRL, which was inserted downstream of the right direction promotor of lambda phage. The resulting protein fusion was purified through three column chromatographies of immunoglobulin G-linked Sepharose 4B, DEAE-5PW, and phenyl-5PW. In a typical experiment, a final sample with a purity of more than 80% was obtained with a recovery of more than 40% judged by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The fusion thus obtained was digested with collagenase, and protein reactive to anti-hPRL antibody was purified through phenyl-5PW column chromatography. The hPRL sample was found to be identical to authentic hPRL with respect to the amino acid composition and an N-terminal sequence of 20 residues, except that it contained an additional four amino acids at the N-terminal end. This peptide was presumed to be derived from the collagenase-target sequence. The hPRL thus obtained was found to be as active as the authentic hormone either immunologically judged by ELISA or biologically judged by the growth stimulatory effect on rat Nb2 lymphoma cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

A placenta-specific 5' non-coding exon of human prolactin.

Expression of human prolactin (hPRL) is restricted to the anterior pituitary and the placenta, strictly, the decidualized endometrium of the uterus. We have cloned and sequenced placental hPRL cDNAs and also the 5' part of the hPRL gene, and found that the placental mRNA consisted of six exons including a 5' non-coding exon which was not present in the pituitary mRNA known to consist of five exons. The placenta-specific exon, designated exon 0, was located 5.3 kb upstream of the first exon of the pituitary mRNA. We have also located the transcriptional start site of the hPRL gene in the placenta to be 21 bp upstream from the 5' end of the longest cDNA clone we obtained using mRNA from human placenta of 22 weeks of gestation. These results suggest that the hPRL gene contains a placenta-specific promoter other than the pituitary-specific promoter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Strain-specific lethal effect of the adenovirus E1a protein on Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Various adenovirus E1a proteins, including 13S protein, 12S protein and three other derivatives of 13S protein with deletions were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both the C-terminal 67 residues and the 13S unique domain are required for the nuclear targeting in yeast. The N-terminus containing multiple functional domains appears to be involved in the G1 arrest of diploid yeast and two other regions, the region containing amino acid residues between 122 and 139, and the 67 residues of the C-terminus are required for the lethal effect on haploid yeast. The latter effect, however, is dependent on strains. Thus, the yeast system may be utilized for functional dissection of E1a protein by further analyzing metabolic consequences.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1990

Signal sequence for generation of mRNA 3' end in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL7 gene.

We have identified a signal sequence (designated core signal) necessary to specify formation of mRNA 3' end of the GAL7 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae within a DNA segment 26 bp long. The sequence was located 4-5 nucleotides upstream from the 3' end, i.e. the polyadenylation site, of the GAL7 mRNA. Replacement of a DNA segment encompassing the polyadenylation site with a pBR322 DNA, leaving the core signal intact, resulted in alteration of the mRNA 3' end by several nucleotides, suggesting the existence of an additional signal (designated end signal) at or near the polyadenylation site. The normal end formation was abolished when the core signal was placed in the reverse orientation. A considerable fraction of pre-mRNA synthesized in vitro with SP6 RNA polymerase on the template of a DNA fragment containing these signals was cleaved and polyadenylated presumably at the in vitro 3' end during incubation in a cell-free system of yeast. By contrast pre-mRNA synthesized on the template with the core signal alone was processed but much less efficiently. No such processing was seen when the pre-mRNA either lacked the core signal or contained it in the reverse orientation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Yeast Gal11 protein mediates the transcriptional activation signal of two different transacting factors, Gal4 and general regulatory factor I/repressor/activator site binding protein 1/translation upstream factor.

GAL11 was first identified as a gene required for full expression of some of the galactose-inducible genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A null mutation within the GAL11 locus causes defects in mating, growth on nonfermentable carbon sources, and sporulation of gal11 homozygotes. The mating defect was observed only in MAT alpha gal11 strains. Northern hybridization analysis revealed that a gal11 mutation impaired transcription of alpha-specific genes (MF alpha 1 and STE3) but not of an a-specific gene (STE2). Furthermore, this mutation reduced expression of the MAT alpha locus, suggesting that a deficiency in MAT alpha 1 protein is responsible for the reduced expression of alpha-specific genes. Since general regulatory factor I (GRFI)/repressor/activator site binding protein 1 (RAP1)/translation upstream factor (TUF) is believed to be an activator of MAT alpha expression, we examined whether PYK1, which is known to be regulated by GRFI/RAP1/TUF, is also affected by the gal11 mutation. It was determined that the level of PYK1 message was significantly lowered by the mutation. The requirement for functional GAL11 in transcriptional activation was bypassed when either the upstream activating sequence of galactose-inducible genes or of PYK1 was placed very close to the TATA box, suggesting that one of the Gal11 protein functions is to mediate the activation signal of Gal4 and GRFI/RAP1/TUF, when the respective binding site is situated at the naturally occurring distance from the TATA box.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1990

[Experience of the malignant complete intrathoracic goiter: discussion on 13 cases of Japan].

A 56-year-old woman was found to have a mediastinal mass on routine examination. Chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI and superior vena cavography showed a right upper mediastinal tumor invading the SVC. And it was diagnosed malignant intrathoracic goiter by histological examination by percutaneous needle biopsy. On thoracotomy and mediastinotomy, the tumor located only in the right upper mediastinum and had no relation to the cervical thyroid gland. Histological examination revealed papillary adenocarcinoma. We reported a malignant complete intrathoracic goiter and added discussion on another 12 cases seen in Japanese literature.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed1990

[Limited operation of carcinoma of the lung].

A clinical study on 207 patients was performed to evaluate partial or wedge resection for lung carcinoma in our institute. Although forced vital capacity decreased 300 ml in cases with poor lung function, blood gas analysis and performance status showed no change due to limited operation. Relative non-curative cases undergoing limited operation showed a relatively good result compared to standard lobectomy, and the 5-year survival rate was 42% postoperatively, but absolute non-curative cases showed a much poorer postoperative prognosis. Reduction surgery by limited operation did not have significant effect on the survival of the patients. Limited operation for recurrent lung cancer showed good results and 5-year survival was 60% postoperatively. It was suggested that limited operation for such selected patients can be a beneficial therapeutic modality. In conclusion, limited resection is not indicated for peripheral lung cancers of more than 3 cm in diameter, poor differentiation or marked cell atypia, because of higher incidence of lymph node metastasis and early postoperative recurrence, especially in adenocarcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The mechanism of placental alkaline phosphatase induction in vitro.

The mechanism of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) induction by prednisolone in a uterine cervical epidermoid cancer cell line SKG-IIIa was investigated in vitro by enzyme-cytochemistry, enzyme immunoassay, Northern and Southern blot analysis, and in situ hybridization. Enzyme-cytochemical alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and immunoassay revealed increased levels of PLAP (heat-stable ALP) in prednisolone-treated cells. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization showed increased amounts of PLAP mRNA. Southern blot analysis indicated that PLAP was not a product of an amplified or rearranged gene. These findings suggest that the induction of PLAP mRNA in SKG-IIIa cells by prednisolone in turn increased the levels of PLAP.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Expression of bovine myoglobin cDNA as a functionally active holoprotein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We isolated a cDNA clone for myoglobin mRNA from fetal bovine skeletal muscle using a DNA fragment of human myoglobin exon 2 as a probe. The complete coding sequence of myoglobin as well as the 3'- and part of the 5'-nontranslatable sequences (546 and 66 basepairs, respectively) were determined. The amino acid sequence predicted from the nucleotide sequence was in agreement with that determined in the purified protein from adult bovine cardiac muscle (Han, K. K., Dautrevaux, M., Chaila, X., & Biserte, G. [1970] Eur. J. Biochem. 16, 465-471), except for eight amino acid residues: Val-99----Ile,Ile-101----Val, Asn-122----Asp, Ala-124----Gly, Gly-129----Ala, Ala-142----Met, Glu-144----Ala, and Lys-145----Gln. When the myoglobin cDNA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the control of the GAL7 promoter, myoglobin was synthesized as a functionally active holoprotein which bound molecular oxygen reversibly. The amount of myoglobin reached nearly 1% of the total extractable protein in the yeast. N-terminal sequence analysis of the produced myoglobin revealed a glycine residue at the terminus, indicating that as in native muscle the N-terminal Met was removed in yeast by processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Functional domains of a negative regulatory protein, GAL80, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

To study the functional domains of a transcriptional repressor encoded by the GAL80 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we constructed various deletion and insertion mutations in the GAL80 coding region and determined the ability of these mutations to repress synthesis of galactose-metabolizing enzymes as well as the capacity of the mutant proteins to respond to the inducer. Two regions, from amino acids 1 to 321 and from amino acids 341 to 423, in the total sequence of 435 amino acids were required for repression. The internal region from amino acids 321 to 340 played a role in the response to the inducer. The 12 amino acids at the carboxy terminus were dispensable for normal functioning of the GAL80 protein. Using indirect immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation techniques, we also found that two distinct regions (amino acids 1 to 109 and 342 to 405) within the putative repression domain were capable of directing cytoplasmically synthesized Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase to the yeast nucleus. In addition, three gal80 mutations were mapped at amino acid residues 183, 298, and 310 in the domain required for repression. On the basis of these results, we suggest that the GAL80 protein consists of a repression domain located in two separate regions (amino acid residues 1 to 321 and 341 to 423) that are interrupted by an inducer interaction domain (residues 322 to 340) and two nuclear localization domains (1 to 109 and 342 to 405) that overlap the repression domains.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1989

Expression of a human P-450IIC gene in yeast cells using galactose-inducible expression system.

A cDNA of a human liver cytochrome P-450, corresponding to P-450 human-2, was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells by the use of a galactose-inducible expression vector containing the GAL7 promoter and terminator. In Western blots using anti-P-450 human-2 IgG, a single band, which exhibited mobility identical to that of authentic P-450 human-2 purified from human liver, was detected in microsomes of the yeast cells. The amount synthesized in yeast was estimated to be approximately 1% of the total cell protein, and approximately 25% of the cytochrome existed in the holoenzyme state. Microsomes from the P-450 human-2-producing yeast showed a catalytic activity towards benzo(a)pyrene, and the activity was significantly enhanced by the addition of purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The yeast microsomes also catalyzed (S)-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation but not the demethylation. The present results indicate that the yeast cells containing P-450 human-2 cDNA synthesize a functionally active form of the enzyme, the chemical and catalytic properties of which are identical to those of the human liver preparation.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗
PubMed1988

Analysis of cytoplasmic factors in developmental cleavage of mouse embryo.

One-cell embryos from certain mouse strains were found incapable of developing beyond the 2-cell stage in vitro (2-cell block), but a microinjection of EDTA effectively overcame this block. When 2-cell arrested embryos were fused with embryos that had developed to the late 2-cell stage in vivo, the fusants developed beyond the 2-cell stage. Microinjection of cytoplasm of in vivo 2-cell embryos into 1-cell embryos also obviated the 2-cell block. Analyses of 35S-labeled embryos by 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated changes in synthetic protein patterns possibly related to this block.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

GAL11 protein, an auxiliary transcription activator for genes encoding galactose-metabolizing enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Normal function of the GAL11 gene is required for maximum production of the enzymes encoded by GAL1, GAL7, and GAL10 (collectively termed GAL1,7,10) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Strains bearing a gal11 mutation synthesize these enzymes at 10 to 30% of the wild-type level in the induced state. In a DNA-RNA hybridization experiment, the gal11 effect was shown to be exerted at the transcription level. Yeast cells bearing the gal11 mutation were shown to grow on glycerol plus lactate more slowly than the wild type. We isolated recombinant plasmids carrying the GAL11 gene by complementation of the gal11 mutation. When the GAL11 locus was disrupted by insertion of the URA3 gene, the resulting yeast cells (gal11::URA3) exhibited phenotypes almost identical to those of the gal11 strains, with respect to both galactose utilization and growth on nonfermentable carbon sources. Deficiency of Gal4, the major transcription activator for GAL1,7,10, was epistatic over the gal11 defect. The Gal11 deficiency lowered the expression of GAL2 but not that of MEL1 or GAL80; expression of these genes is also known to be dependent on GAL4 function. We determined the nucleotide sequence of GAL11, which is predicted to encode a 107-kilodalton protein with stretches of polyglutamine and poly(glutamine-alanine). An alpha-helix-beta-turn-alpha-helix structure was found in a distal part of the predicted amino acid sequence. A possible role of the GAL11 product in the regulation of galactose-inducible genes is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗